Albert Pujols is feeling good and hitting well for the Angels

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Los Angeles Angels’ Albert Pujols follows through on a foul ball to left in the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Monday, April 9, 2018. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Before there was Shohei Ohtani, and before there was Mike Trout, there was Albert Pujols.

Although Pujols may be down the Angels current depth chart of stars, he is nonetheless showing encouraging signs of bouncing back from the declining numbers of the past couple years.

Pujols had his fourth multi-hit game in the past five on Friday night. Over his previous 10 games, he has hit .341 with two homers and an .892 OPS. The hot start has him already within 13 hits of the 3,000-hit milestone.

The Angels had been operating under the belief that much of his trouble in 2017 — a career-worst .672 OPS — was because of two years worth of injuries to his feet. Not only did that cause discomfort, but the injuries interrupted his workout regimen and caused his conditioning to deteriorate.

Pujols, however, did not have any issues over the past winter, and a result he reported to spring training saying he had lost about 15 pounds.

The logical assumption is that his early season hot streak is related to his physical condition.

“I’m feeling great,” Pujols said after Friday’s game.

Added Manager Mike Scioscia: “I just think you are seeing him comfortable in the batter’s box. That could be related to a lot of things. He always works hard on things. He’s always trying to get his swing where he wants, and right now he has it there. He’s swinging the bat very well.”

Pujols’ health is vital to the Angels on two fronts. Besides being more productive at the plate, Pujols has been able to play first base more. He’s already started nine times at first, more than the six he started all last year.

The only way Ohtani can get in the lineup as the DH is when Pujols is able to play first. Pujols said he’s fine with the increased time in the field.

“That’s my job,” he said. “I don’t care. Whatever they need for me, I’ll be there. This is not about Albert Pujols. This is about the Angels organization and how can this team be better. Whatever it takes I’m going to do that.”

PREPARED FOR COLD

Ohtani’s third major league start is going to present a new challenge. The temperature is expected to be in the 30s when he takes the mound on Sunday afternoon.

“Hopefully it will be warm, but if not I will be prepared for pitching in the cold weather,” Ohtani said.

Ohtani grew up in the northern part of Japan, where cold weather is common. The climate is similar to the northeast United States. However, his professional team in Japan, the Nippon Ham Fighters, played in a dome. Many teams in Japan play indoors, so Ohtani said he could not recall pitching in a game with conditions like those that are expected on Sunday.

Nick Tropeano, who grew up in New York, said the key to pitching in the cold is work up a good sweat inside, before even hitting the field. He also said a pitcher can take advantage of the conditions by pitching inside more, because the sting of a ball on the handle will hurt hitters even more.

ALSO

Ian Kinsler was not in the lineup on Saturday night, which Scioscia said was planned in advance. Kinsler had been on the disabled list with a tight groin, before returning to play on Thursday and Friday. The cold weather also factored in the decision to give Kinsler the day off. Scioscia said Kinsler could play on Sunday…

The Angels are finally expected to debut their six-man rotation sometime next week, Scioscia said. The Angels used nine starters in their first 15 games, but they have only five on the current roster. Unless the Angels want Ohtani to pitch on less than six days rest, they will need to add another starter sometime next week. Parker Bridwell is the most likely candidate. Jaime Barría is not eligible to be recalled until April 22, barring another injury.

Jeff Fletcher has covered the Angels since 2013. Before that, he spent 11 years covering the Giants and A's and working as a national baseball writer. Jeff is a Hall of Fame voter. In 2015, he was elected chairman of the Los Angeles chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America.